As the year draws to a close and more than a few Christmas cards are arriving (electronic or otherwise), it is a good time to remind ourselves of this tradition born out of the Victorian age.

James C Linton Bookstore Ad 1885


Example of a Fringed Christmas Card circa 1883

Interesting Links

Smithsonian Magazine: The History of the Christmas Card

CBC News: Yowling cats and murdered frogs: The bizarre Victorian origins of Christmas cards

The Studio, 1895: Christmas Cards and Their Chief Designers